New York Fashion Week: Naeem Khan's exquisite ensembles

2:05 PM, February 13, 2013
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A model walks the runway at the Naeem Khan Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on February 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) / Frazer Harrison (Credit too long, see caption)

by Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY

by Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY

That was Matt Damon's stunned response to one of the intricate, spectacular beaded gold gowns shown by Naeem Khan on Tuesday. Damon and his wife, Lucy, are pals with Khan and sat front row, along with Taraji P. Henson and Vanessa Hudgens.

And the rest of the show was equally staggering. Scarlet frocks. Beaded caftans. Not-so-basic black creations.

The inspiration, said a relaxed Khan pre-show, was "art deco. The feeling of the 1920s. How do you mix it with the embroideries and embellishments? I looked into the Ottoman and Byzantine era. The shapes are molded. The patterns are forming to the body."

There's a reason that Khan's insanely gorgeous garments are worn by Allison Williams, Katy Perry and her sartorial highness, Michelle Obama. And with the Oscars coming up, Khan is going full steam ahead.

Khan doesn't pay for play, like other designers covertly do. "We don't do anything which is so hard-core. We leave it to our art," he says.

Of course, the ultimate compliment is having Obama wear your stuff. "This was the ninth or eighth time she wore one of my dresses. I wish I'd had the inaugural dress. But it's amazing. The recognition is so powerful. It's sophisticated," says Khan.

His show was equally stunning. "It's fun for me. My first day out," says Henson of attending.